A few days ago, ESPN analyst Tom Penn said that Russell Westbrook's dominant play could lead to the Thunder trading Kevin Durant next season, before he becomes a free agent. It always seemed far-fetched, especially since the reasoning behind it was based on general manager Sam Presti trading James Harden under completely different circumstances.
Thunder GM Sam Presti says team won’t trade Kevin Durant, will name streets after him
The Thunder’s general manager called the idea that he would trade Durant “ludicrous.”
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
But it did force Presti to go record and say that, no, the Thunder will not trade Durant.
“It’s ludicrous to assert that we would trade Kevin Durant,” Presti said to The Oklahoman’s Darnell Mayberry. “There’s no way to measure what he represents for our organization on and off the floor. He has helped build this organization from the ground up and personifies the Thunder; past, present and future. When he’s done playing, streets will be named after him throughout the state and younger generations of Oklahoman will learn about the role Kevin has played in elevating this community in ways beyond basketball.”
That should clarify things. The Thunder trading Durant makes no sense not only because of his impact on the court, but because he is, as Presti says, the star that built the Thunder organization after the move from Seattle. Unless Durant makes it clear that he wants out -- and there’s no reason for him to do that considering the Thunder have a great young core -- there’s no way he will get moved.
Presti is also making sure Durant knows exactly how much he’s appreciated by the organization and Oklahomans in general. What starts out as a simple statement addressing a rumor turns into something hilariously different at the end, when Presti asserts “streets will be names after him.” It’s not common for executives to offer such specific and seemingly hyperbolic praise, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a Kevin Durant Street in Oklahoma City in a few years if he wins a championship there.
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